Reviews of safaris to Lake Manyara National Park

"Best safari we have ever done and one of our favourite ever holidays. And Beyond were great and we would look to book with them again. Serengeti under canvas staff were off the scale amazing!

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service: None - you guys are superstars" Read full review: 9 nights in Africa; 8 on a Tanzania safari

"This trip exceeded our wildest imagination. We were up close to all the animals we wanted to see with a perfect opportunity to photograph them and to observe their behavior. It was a long flight getting to Kilimanjaro, but well worth it.

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service: My wife and I were both impressed by your professionalism and your effort to make sure that my wife's CPAP was taken care of--as it was at each sight." Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 11 on a Tanzania safari

"The trip was great. We saw many different animals. David, the guide, was incredibly knowledgeable and friendly.

I was a bit disappointed that even in the middle of the Serengeti there was internet access. I had hoped to escape the internet. There may be a market for lodges and camps that don't have internet." Read full review: 9 nights in Africa; 1 on a Tanzania safari

"I look forward to my regular forays into Southern and Eastern Africa, a passion I've been pursuing for over 30 years and where I normally enjoy every last minute of my stay. So it pains me to state that, despite the high quality of all the arrangements: camps, transfers, internal flights, this was one trip I did not enjoy.

The reason was the infestation of tsetse flies through the Lake Manyara/Tarangire/Serengeti area. These are not just a nuisance; they are a major problem, turning every game drive into a very painful and distressing endurance test. Totally impervious to any kind of insect repellent, swarms of tsetse flies descend upon people persistently biting at will on both uncovered and covered skin. Yes, they bite through your clothes, too. I ended up with my entire skin a mass burning welts - something that went from simple discomfort to sheer pain, only temporarily relieved by spells under cold showers, and eventually, towards the end of my trip, by some anti-histaminic pills and cream provided by the manageress at Lamai Serengeti.

I was not warned of this, something I find disconcerting from an outfit that advertises itself as Expert Africa and provides specialist consultants for each area. Surely clients are entitled to expect full and honest advice?" Read full review: 10 nights in Africa; 10 on a Tanzania safari

"We booked this holiday very late and Olivia came up with the perfect itinerary. This was an unforgettable holiday." Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 8 on a Tanzania safari

"This holiday had been in the planning for several years so expectations and excitement were extremely high. A

part from the luggage fiasco, we were looked after incredibly well every step of the journey. We were never left wondering what/where/when as the organising was seamless. Each of the accommodations and game drive locations had something different to offer than the previous which kept it exhilarating the whole time. Finishing off with 5 nights on Zanzibar gave a perfect finish with some R&R in a stunning location with perfect weather.

Certainly a holiday to remember and some memories that we will all cherish. Unfortunately the boys now have a taste for such extravagance !!" Read full review: 12 nights in Africa; 6 on a Tanzania safari

"We had the most incredible, amazing holiday. It was truly a holiday of a lifetime.

The gorillas were unforgettable in Rwanda and I would definitely advise others who are thinking of going to do a trip to the golden monkeys first and two trips to the gorillas, as the second trip was even better than the first. We got so close to the gorillas we could have touched them (we didn't!). A silverback actually brushed past my husband - we all held our breath!

The safari in Tanzania was also incredible, but made even more special by our driver Faso who was so knowledgeable about all the animals and birds.

The holiday was not cheap, but it was worth every penny that we paid and would not hesitate to recommend Expert Africa. In fact, we are already of thinking about doing another safari, once we have saved up a bit!!

I want to thank Expert Africa for organising our trip.

We have lots of videos (especially of the gorillas) and photos if you would like us to send you some." Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 9 on a Tanzania safari

"The whole trip was a wonderful experience and we were so pleased to have chosen &Beyond lodges for all of our camps. The transfers between each accommodation linked together very smoothly except for one issue.

You have not provided a link for feedback on the taxi services between main airports and our hotels in Nairobi and Arusha i.e. Southern Cross and Asillia.

Southern Cross collected us on arrival at the airport at the start and end of the holiday. Collection and delivery to the hotel went smoothly on both occasions. However, pick up and return to the airport was a different matter.

After arriving in Nairobi at the start of the trip my first question to Benson of SC was what time we were to be collected for our flight to Lobo. His answer was what time is your flight and where are you going. I showed him the ticket for Precision and stressed the 7am flight time and the 6am meeting at terminal 2. Because it was an international flight he was suggesting arriving at the airport 3 hrs before departure. To cut a long storey short we were collected at 4.30am, taken first to terminal 1C then 1B then finally the driver took us to terminal 2. It was now 5.15 am and of course there was nobody there to meet us. Eventually someone from Tradewinds collected us and took us through to check-in and then the aircraft.

Similarly, on our final return to the airport for our return home we arranged with Benson to be collected at the hotel at 14.30pm. The driver arrived at 10.00am. He hadn't been in contact with Benson but had been given instructions from the main office. He came back at the requested time.

OK this wasn't life threatening and it is Africa but we could have missed a flight. SC don't appear to follow instructions, either from the client at the time or from whatever Expert Africa arranged with them." Read full review: 13 nights in Africa; 10 on a Tanzania safari

"Our 3rd trip to Africa wirh Expert Africa that lived up to and beyond our expectations. The choice of camps and itinerary were excellent.

Would not have changed anything except a few days longer at a couple of camps if we had time" Read full review: 12 nights in Africa; 8 on a Tanzania safari

"excellent- an average of 8 hours a day out on safari. A great variety of habitats within each location giving the opportunity to se a wide range of wildlife- the birds were especially good and varied.

Certainly we felt we saw everything we should have and time was never wasted largely due to our excellent driver (Sadiq).

A brilliant trip which exceeded expectations and the one minor problem was quickly resolved on our return

Suggestions to help us improve our trips or our service:

Not really- everything worked well for us" Read full review: 14 nights in Africa; 11 on a Tanzania safari